Japan Aluminium Demand Hits Record in F2005

Japanese aluminium demand increased by 0.1% to record 4.359 million tonnes in fiscal 2005 ended March 2006 from fiscal 2004, announced by Japan Aluminium Association on Thursday. The demand increased when automobile demand expanded to lift the total demand while the can demand decreased from hot summer boom in 2004. The rolled aluminium demand decreased by 4.1% to 2.341 million tonnes in fiscal 2005 from fiscal 2004. The demand increased by 4.9% to 418,167 tonnes for castings and by 8.2% to 1.038 million tonnes for die-castings. The automobile demand lifted the castings and die-castings demand. The can demand decreased by 2.6% to 428,087 tonnes in fiscal 2005 from fiscal 2004. The demand decreased by 1.9% to 152,952 tonnes for foil, by 6.2% to 97,758 tonnes for machinery and by 2.1% to 494,537 tonnes for sash and door. The slower activity for the applications reduced the demand. The automobile demand increased by 7.5% to 1.592 million tonnes. The demand was firm along with electronic communication devices.